Students who have applied for federal financial aid funds are required to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP). SAP is calculated at the end of each term (payment period). If a student does not meet the SAP policy, he/she must attend one or more semesters without financial aid until the required standard is met unless approved in the appeal process.Students are considered to be making SAP if they meet the following criteria:

1.Degree seeking: Students must be admitted and enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program.

2.Credit hours:Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester (or a summer) for most aid programs. Full-time enrollment is required for some aid programs.A student's official enrollment status will be determined on the 11th day of enrollment each semester (census date).Financial aid disbursement, in most cases, will be based on enrollment status as of the census date and financial aid may be disbursed when funds are available following the census date.

3.GPA requirement: Minimum Cumulative GPA2.00

4.Maximum credit hours: Students must complete requirements for a degree at this school within a maximum of 150% of the average published length for that type of degree.See some examples below:

Nursing, Radiology109 credit hours

(AA, AS and ALS Degrees) 91credit hours

Respiratory Therapy 30 credit hours

5.Pace (Rate of Completion)

To measure the rate of completion, the total number of credits attempted is compared to the total number of credits completed. Students must successfully complete at least two thirds (66.66%) of the total number of credits attempted. Successfully completed grades are A, B, C, and D. Example: If the total number of credits attempted is 48 credits, students must successfully complete at least 32 credits (48 credits X 66.66% = 32 credits).

Maximum hours apply whether or not the student was receiving financial aid at the time credits were being attempted.

For satisfactory academic progress purposes the student’s NPCC transcript will be the official record used to evaluate all attempts, completion of attempted hours and cumulative grade point average. The Registrar’s Office requires that all students submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions which are regionally accredited and from which acceptable credits may be transferred. Any student who transfers or changes majors must adhere to the maximum hour standards.

TRANSFER STUDENTS: Transfer students must provide transcripts for all previously attended colleges. All courses attempted and completed will be evaluated to determine financial aid eligibility before the student may receive financial aid.

6.Withdrawals:Students must maintain and complete the semester with the following number of credit hours:

11th day of enrollmentMust Complete

12 or more9

6 - 116

1 - 5All hours attempted

7.3rd Attempts: A student may not receive financial aid for the 3rd attempt of a course. An attempt may be excluded from this calculation if the attempt was made while the student was in high school.

Appeal:Students may apply for an appeal at NPCC in the event of a drop in eligibility. Students may re-appeal in cases of extenuating circumstances i.e. death of immediate family member with documentation, unanticipated serious illness of the student with documentation, or institutional error. Some appeal situations may require that an academic plan be established for the remainder of student’s degree. All students must have a 2.0 CGPA by the end of the appealed term to continue receiving aid.All appeals must be submitted within the first 30 days of the semester in order to be guaranteed consideration. In addition, all approved Pace appeals require students to take only courses that apply to their declared degree and successfully complete all courses they enroll in (no F’s, W’s, X’s or IP’s) until they are meeting Pace standards. Max Hour/Pace eligibility issues will receive a preliminary review by financial aid staff to determine if a student is eligible for an automatic appeal approval based on professional judgment. Students who are not automatically approved will be notified that they are required to complete a traditional appeal.

Attendance:Students must attend all classes as required in each instructor's syllabus.Students who are reported as non-attending may be administratively withdrawn from classes.

Students dropped from federal aid eligibility must request reinstatement after the SAP standard is reached.Students who do not maintain SAP and who are denied aid may file an appeal with the Financial Aid Office.